Frye's second half show not enough for Zips

The Badgers knew they had to stop Charlie Frye. Saturday,
Wisconsin learned the Akron signal caller was for real.

"(Frye) is a fierce competitor," Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez said. "I said going in, I knew he was an accurate thrower."

In the first half, Wisconsin's defensive line and
linebackers were all over Frye, putting considerable pressure on the star
quarterback. Despite Akron's persistent use of quick-rhythm passes, roll outs
and sprint outs, Frye rarely dropped back without facing a fierce pass rush,
frequently taking hits after he threw and taking three sacks.

The Badgers also applied pressure on the blitz, frequently
sending linebackers Alex Lewis and Jeff Mack.

Frye, though, still had a respectable first half, and it
could very well have been exceptional. Frye completed 12 of 24 passes for 130
yards, one touchdown and one interception in the first half. However, the
interception came on a pass that was deflected by Akron receiver Morris
Ellington, who should have caught the pass. In addition, a touchdown pass to
Matt Cherry was taken away by a holding penalty, and Cherry dropped another
touchdown pass late in the first half.

The second half was a different story entirely. Wisconsin
rotated six players along the defensively line Saturday—starters ends Welsh and
Nick Cochart and tackles Hawthorne and Jason Jefferson, reserve end Joe Monty
and Lewis, who played rush end in Wisconsin's nickel defense. As Frye quickly
pushed towards 50 pass attempts and above, the Badgers defensive pressure
subsided, Frye gained more time to settle and throw, and the comeback began.

Frye completed 19 of 25 passes for 242 yards in the second
half and led the Zips to three touchdown drives.

In end, the Akron gunslinger came up short, his defense
unable to give him any really chance to win Saturday. With the score 34-31,
Akron had the ball at the one-yard line but running back Bobby Hendry was
stuffed by Wisconsin safety Ryan Aiello and linebacker Jeff Mack. The Badgers
scored one play later, and Jim Leonhard picked off Frye on Akron's next
possession.

In defeat, Frye finished 31 of 49 for 372 yards, one
touchdown passing and one touchdown running.

"He is a good quarterback," Wisconsin safety Ryan Aiello
said. "We knew that going into the game. He is going to have a good season and I
wish him the best."